Winstone Aggregates has welcomed the decisions by Papakura District Council and Auckland Regional Council to grant resource consents for its Symonds Hill quarry development but has confirmed it has lodged appeals to the Environment Court to seek clarification on some of the consent conditions.

General Manager of Winstone Aggregates, Bernie Chote, said the decisions by the Councils are a significant first step to guaranteeing the vital supply of aggregates for the region for the next 30 years. "We are, however concerned at some of the consent conditions which we think are poorly drafted and have lodged an appeal with the Environment Court as a means of seeking clarification and verification on some interpretations."

"Our appeal is based on what we consider to be some redundant and confusing or overly prescriptive conditions which are unnecessary in light of the stringent performance measures imposed by the consents."

Mr Chote said that as a result of the overall positive decisions however, the company is now confident the Hunua quarry, which currently provides more than one-third of the quality aggregates used in the Auckland region, will be able to continue supplying essential high grade aggregates for use in regional infrastructure for the next three decades or longer.